Saint Boniface Down | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While descending to Portsmouth from the south on a flight from Jersey, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. On approach to the Isle of Wight, the pilot-in-command reduced his altitude when the airplane struck a hill and crashed in flames in Saint Boniface Down, northeast of Ventnor. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both pilots and eight passengers were killed instantly. The stewardess and another passenger subsequently died of their injuries. Five passengers were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

As a result of an error of airmanship the aircraft was flown below a safe altitude in bad weather conditions and struck cloud-covered high ground.

Final Report:

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Saint Boniface Down: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

G-AIWW

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Croydon – Jersey

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Croydon on a cargo flight to Jersey, carrying a load of newspapers. While flying over the Isle of Wight, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with clouds down to 700 feet. Due to low visibility, the pilot did not realize he was off course and his altitude was too low when the twin engine aircraft hit the pylon of a radar and crashed in a prairie located near Saint Boniface Down. Both occupants, pilot E. G. Snowden and radio operator R. J. Corrie were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by a navigational error on part of the crew.